At least seven people have died in severe flooding that struck eastern South Africa following a powerful winter storm, government officials confirmed on Tuesday. Search operations are currently underway for schoolchildren who went missing after their minibus was swept away by floodwaters.
The disaster has primarily affected the Eastern Cape region, with the city of Mthatha bearing the brunt of the devastation. According to provincial government statements, six bodies were recovered in Mthatha, located approximately 800 kilometers south of Johannesburg, while a seventh victim was found near a river in the rural Tsolo area.
"The search is still ongoing regarding a minibus carrying school children that swept away earlier this morning," the provincial government stated, highlighting the urgency of rescue operations in the affected areas.
Dramatic Rescues Amid Harsh Conditions
In one dramatic rescue operation, three children were saved after spending hours clinging to trees to escape the rising floodwaters near Mthatha. Local media reported that residents in the city had become trapped on rooftops in bitterly cold conditions early Tuesday as the waters rose rapidly.
The severe cold front has also brought snowfall to several areas, compounding the challenges faced by both victims and rescue teams. Approximately 200 people have reportedly taken shelter in a community hall in Butterworth, about 110 kilometers from Mthatha, after floodwaters inundated their homes in an informal settlement.
Government officials have deployed disaster management teams to assist those affected by the severe weather event, providing emergency shelter, food, and medical assistance to displaced residents.
This flooding incident comes as South Africa experiences an unusually harsh winter season, with meteorological services warning that more adverse weather could be expected in the coming days.
The Eastern Cape province, one of South Africa's poorest regions, has historically been vulnerable to extreme weather events, with limited infrastructure often exacerbating the impact of natural disasters on local communities.
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